Tool Review: Black & Decker RRW100 Ratcheting ReadyWrench

There's something reassuring about holding a dogbone wrench in your hand.  The Black & Decker RRW100 Ratcheting ReadyWrench is a solidly-made dogbone wrench that also features ratcheting capability.  It is a great wrench to have in your tool bag, car, or garage, and I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

The RRW100 is the most useful wrench I've ever owned.  It looks like a dogbone-style wrench, with several sockets on each end, but unlike a typical dogbone wrench it ratchets.  There's no switch to flip or anything to adjust to enable ratcheting -- if you hold the wrench one way, it ratchets for loosening, and if you hold it the other way, it ratchets for tightening.  It's simple to use.

There are 16 different size bolts or fasteners this wrench can handle, including both SAE and metric sizes.  Each socket is marked with its size, and switching to a different sized socket is as simple as turning the socket.

This is a sturdy, solid wrench that has held up great so far and looks like it will continue to do so for a long time.  The paint on the wrench is another story, however.  The black paint on the wrench's body started flaking as soon as I took it out of the package, and the orange plastic around the wrench ends are already chipping off.  But neither of those things affects how the wrench works.

The way the sockets are positioned, you can twist the wrench slightly when using to get a little bit of extra leverage, something you can't do with a standard socket wrench.  If anything serious ever happens to the wrench, just contact Black & Decker, because it comes with a lifetime warranty.

The Black & Decker RRW100 Ratcheting ReadyWrench is a great addition to any toolbox.  It's versatile, sturdy, and easy to use, and for around $20 or so, it's a really good deal.  If you do a lot of work on your car or around the house, you won't regret buying this wrench.

The RRW100 is sold in many hardware stores for varying prices. Sellers on Amazon.com currently list it for $18.49 and up.  Under $20 is a steal for this wrench.

(Originally posted on Bubblews.com, April 2014)


UPDATE:  As of 9/28/14, Amazon.com currently lists the RRW100 for $12.99 (eligible for free shipping).  If you were considering buying this wrench, or if you need a holiday/birthday present for anyone who likes tools, this is a GREAT deal.  I don't know how long this price will last, but it is by far the lowest I've ever seen this wrench sold for.